Bad Teeth and Genetics

“Are bad teeth hereditary?”

This is a common question asked by many parents. There are some teeth defects that can be hereditary. Rest assured, they are very rare.

We do commonly see a link between parents with bad teeth and their children. There are a couple of reasons behind this. One is that the cavity causing bacteria found in a parent’s mouth can and will spread to their child’s mouth. So, if you have a history of untreated cavities, there’s a good possibility that your bacteria has infected your child’s teeth. It’s also important to remember that some parents were never properly educated on proper oral hygiene and diet.

Another reason might be because the parents were never properly educated on proper oral hygiene and diet. For example, did you know your apple juice has more sugar and acid in it than a glass of soda? Now we’re not encouraging you to drink soda instead of juice. The ideal situation is that you give up or limit consumption of both.

One of the best things you can do for your child’s dental health is make sure you’re a good role model. Brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist every six months.